KARACHI: Torrential monsoon rain in the southern Pakistani metropolis of Karachi has killed 26 people and cut power to most of the city, mayor of the city said on Sunday.
The rain flooded low-lying parts of the city, damaging hundreds of homes, downing power lines and inundating power grid stations. Virtually all of the city was left without electricity on Saturday night, but power was gradually being restored.
The victims were either electrocuted, drowned, or had roofs collapse on top of them, Karachi mayor Mustafa Kamal said.
“We have 26 deaths but these figures could go up, as now reports have started pouring in from different areas,” Kamal said.
He has been shuttling between different rain affected areas and instructed relevant department for urgent drainage of dirty water and asked hospitals to gear up for any epidemic which could spread in the city.
Efforts were under way to restore traffic and electricity and to pump floodwaters out of streets and homes, he said.
“Heavy rain caused most of the damage to property and lives in Orangi,” said Karachi’s police chief Wasim.
Rain and flash floods causes extensive damage in the region every year.
— With input from agencies
